Cosmetic container



May 12, 1964 R. w. woLFF cosMETc CONTAINER Filed Jan. 19. 1962 2 Sheets- Sheet l INVENTOR.

BfA yMO/VD W WOL/:F MVM /S ATTORNEYS May 12, 1964 R. w. woLFF cosMETIc CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

. 3,132,743 CGSMETIC CONTAINER Raymond W. Woltf, Easton, Conn., assignor to yThe Risdon Manufacturing Company, Naugatuck, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut i Filed Ian. 19, 1962, SerfINo. 167,354

6 Claims. (Cl. 20e- 56) The invention relates generally to containers for long, thin stick-like materials such as pencil leads and thelike and, especially, to containers in which a cosmetic 1n stlck form, such as a lipstick oreyebrow pencil, is adapted to "v be advanced and retracted. j Y y j It has become customary'in the cosmetic-container art to utilize what is known as the swive type of mechanism for propelling and retracting sticktype cosmetics from their containers. This is particularly true withrespect to lipstick containers which comprise the bulk of this type of cosmetic.

In the swivel type of containery construction the `cosmetic is placed in a carrier that lies within an' inner Vshell having a longitudinal slot formed in it.

The inner shell, inturn, lies within an outer shell that `has a continuous spiral slot formed in it. A projection on the cosmetic carrier extends through the longitudinal slot in j the inner shell and into'thev spiral slot in the outer shell.

When the outer and inner shells are rotated relative to each other, the spiral slot in the outer shell cams the projection on the carrier along the longitudinal slot and moves the carrier longitudinally of the inner shell.

The inner shell is ordinarily xed to the rearward outer United States Patent O @ce A3,132,743r Patented May 12, 196,4

the line 4 4 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; l

, FIG. 5 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5in FIG.2 looking in the directionhof the 5 arrows;

rthe line 77-7., in

1 FIG. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional View taken` along the line 6 6 in. FIG. 2 looking in thedire'ction of the arrows; f .y j FIG. 7 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken along FIG. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows; a j Y FIG. 8 isa longitudinal, sectional View of the outer, intermediate protective shell for the lipstick; l FIG. 9 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken along the line 9Y-9`in FIG. 8 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

arrows; l

FIG. l0 .is an elevationalview of the'Y tubular piecev jinto which the outer, intermediate protective shellis' titted;and y Y FIG; ll is a transverse, cross-sectional view'takenalong .the line 1 1-11 lin FIG. l0 looking in the direction of the One form which the invention may take is shown in the hdrawings and particularly in FIGS. l and 2. The lipstick containerfshown there' comprises two main sections,

portion of the container while the spiral, or outer, shell is ordinarily ixed to the forward portion of the container.

*In use, thel forward portion of the container is grasped by the user in the fingers of one hand and the rearward portion is grasped by the lingers of the other hand. The

This causes the necessary relative rotation between the inner and outer .shells and either propels or retracts the cosmetic stick depending upon the direction of Vrelative rotation.

The present invention of novel actuating means for effecting the relative rotation between the inner and outer shellsthat is required `for the advancement or retraction of the cosmetic stick in a swivel type container.

It is a further:object ot the invention Yto provide such actuating means that are capable of advancing or retracting the cosmetic stick quickly. Another object of the invention is to provide actuating means that are simple to operate and positive in action. Still another object of the user then rotates one of the portions relative to the other.

has for its object the provision 'abuts against the shoulderV 24 1 g the change indiameters.-

The two outer shells 14-y and' 16 Lare heldqtogether by a -core memberV 26that has -acircumferential flange 28 formed therein. The rearward outer shell 1,4 frictionally engages an adjacent outer surface 30 on the'core 26 y'and abuts against'one side of the ange 28. A threaded stub 3 2 of reduced diameter is provided at the front or forward end` of the core 26v andextends forwardlyv of the Vflange 28, that is, to the right of the flange as seen in 45,V FIGS; `1 and 2. -A short tubular'piece 34 having a correspondinglythreaded end 36 is screwedv onto the'stubw32.

v The .outer surface 'of-the tubularpiece'34 lfrictionallyy engages thev forward outer shell {16and holds ,the shell .in Yplace againstthe front face of; the tangej 28 on the core 26.` f

invention is that the means for effecting relative rotation of the inner and outershells shall be such as toA permit their use in cosmetic containers of the rellable type in which a newcosmetic stick is insertedin the-container after the original stick has been exhausted. Y

1 In addition to housing thelipstick pomade, theforward section 10 ofthe containerfalso houses rotatable driving means formoving the-lipstick pomade longitudivnally of the outer shelll. As shown,-these-means comprise a modified form of the usual swivel. type lipstick For the purpose of illustrating onemanner in which e the invention may be made and-used, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, of which: j 4

FIG. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a lipstick contheir non-actuated positions;l

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial longitudinal sectional viewvof the lipstickcontainer of FIG. l showing the` potainer constructed in accordance with the teachings,V of the. .invention showing the various parts -of the container in container in which relative rotation:V between ,theflipstick carrier `and a surrounding,v tubularshellserves to .'rnove y` Athefl-ipstick. relative` to the container. I the present-constructionone end-.of

. stick pomade 38 is inserted into acup-like carrier 40.

-`The carrierflt) resides within a'rotatablecylindrical:shell ,142,l usually v`designated vas thef'fBfshell, and has a-lateral projection A44that extends through a straight longitudinal ..slot-46 Vfor-ined throughout the 'greaterfportion of oney side 65. of the shellf42.- f Tvs/ o` additional rotatable; vshe1ls';,4i8:,"50

sitions of the various parts of the container during' the ini.

ward stroke of the actuating plunger;

FIG. 3 is a transverse, cross-sectionalview taken along line 33 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of rthearrows; FIG. 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional View taken along are provided intermediate the cylindrical shell 42 andthe f tubular piece 34. The innerrinterrnediate shell 48, usually :designated as 'the spiral shell, closely tits over the cylindrical shell 42 but enough clearance is provided to 'permit 0 relative rotation between the shells.' AA spiral, 'or helical,

slot 52 is formed in the inner intermediate shell 48 and raised circumferential ridge 56 is formed about the midj portion of the shell to serve as a means for retaining the shell 50 within the outer forward shell 16. Accordingly,

the outer diameter of the ridge 56 is greater than the inside diameter of the necked down portion of the outer shell 16 so as to prevent the intermediate shells 48, 50 from moving past the outer shell.

Relative rotation between the spiral shell 48 and A shell 50 on the one hand and the lipstick carrier 40 and B shell 42 on the other hand results in the projection 44 on the carrier engaging a side of the spiral slot 52 in the inner spiral shell 48. Since the projection 44 is limited to longitudinal travel within the slot 46 formed in the cylindrical B shell 42, the engagement with the spiral slot 52 serves to cam the projection longitudinally in the slot 46. Thus, in this manner, the lipstick carrier 40, and hence the lipstick pomade 38, is either advanced or retracted within the container.

Unlike the usual swivel type construction in which relative rotation between the spiral shell and the projection on the lipstick carrier may occur in either direction, the lipstick container shown in the present case has been modied to limit this relative rotation to a single direction. This is done by incorporating a ratchet and dog mechanism on the outer intermediate or A shell 50 and the tubular piece 34.

As will be best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 the A shell 50 has Vfour outwardly extending tabs 58, 58 at equally spaced points around the circumference of the shell. Each tab is formed by shearing the shell along three sides and simultaneously bending the tab outwardly away from the shell. By so upsetting the shell 50 at these points, the tabs 58, 58 form a ratchet of rigid tapered teeth in the exterior of the shell.

Similar tabs are formed in the tubular piece 34.V Each side of the piece is formed with an L-shaped slot 60, 60 and the material bounded by the slot is pushed inward to form two tapered tabs or teeth 62, 62 on the interior of the tubular piece. The teeth 62, 62 on the piece, because of the slots 60, 60 are relatively flexible as compared to the teeth 58, 58 on the A" shell 50. Accordingly, when the shell 50 rotates counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 6, the teeth 62, 62 on the piece 34 readily bend outwardly to pass the teeth 58, 58 on the shell 50 without undue wear. However, should an attempt be made to rotate the A shell 50 clockwise, asviewed in FIG. 6, then the butt ends of the teeth 58, 58, 62, 62 on the shell 50 and the tubular piece 34 will engage each other to prevent it.

By reason of this arrangement, the rotatable driving means for the lipstick serve to move the lipstick pomade in one direction only. In the container shown in Vthe drawings the lipstick pomade 38 is withdrawn upon -the relative rotation between the shells 48, 50 and thev Bv shell 42 and lipstick carrierr40. However, it is to be understood that the lipstick could be advanced bysuch action if this were desired. In the form of theinvention shown however, it is preferred to advance the lipstick by actuating means in the rearward section 12 of the container.

At the end 64 of the container the rearward outer shell 14 has an opening 66 through which extends the finger portion 68 of a reciprocable plunger 70. A flange 72 is formed on the plunger 70 at the base of the linger portion 68 and serves to limit the extent to which the plunger projects beyond the shell 14. The plunger 70 is urged outwardly of the container by a coil spring 74 positioned between the flange 72 and a downwardly extending annular stop 76 formed on a tubular sleeve that surrounds the reciprocable plunger at the closed end 58 of the rearward outer shell 14.

The plunger has an inwardly extending projection 80 on the inner side of the flange 72 and a raised inclined helical thread 82 is formed on the projection. The projection 80 extends into a recess 84 in a first clutch member 86, the recess being provided internally of the body of the clutch member and having a helical groove 88 formed within its side. As a result of the engagement between the helical thread 82 on the plunger 70 and the helical groove 88 in the recess 84 the plunger and first clutch member 86 are coupled together and ordinarily move together longitudinally. During this longitudinal movement, the plunger 70-is locked against rotation by threevlugs 90, 90 on the circumference of the ange 72 which slide in longitudinal slots 92, 92 formed in the tubular sleeve 78.

The body of the lirst clutch member 86 is cylindrical and has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the opening formed by the annular stop 76 on the sleeve 78. At the inward end of the clutch member 86 there is an enlarged flange portion 94, and the shoulder 96 resulting from the change in diameter between the body and flange Aportions 94 of the clutch member 86 abuts against the front surface of the annular stop 76 to limit the rearward movement of the clutch member.

At the face of the iiange 94 the diret clutch member 86 has a plurality of radially disposed teeth 98 for engagement with a plurality of similar, radially disposed teeth 100 on the rearward face of a second clutch member 102. The teeth 98 on the rst clutch member 86 are beveled in one direction so that effective engagement of the clutch members 86, 102 occurs only upon rotation of 4the .irst clutch member 86 in clockwise direction as viewed from the rearward end of the container. Rotation of fthe first clutch member 86 -in the opposite direction, that is, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the rearward end of the container, simply causes the beveled sides of the teeth 98 on the first clutch member 86 to slide over lthe teeth 100 on the second clutch member 102.

The second clutch member 102 is formed with a cylindrical body 1104 that fits the central opening`106 of the core 26. An enlarged ange portion 108 is provided at the rearward end of the body 104 and the di ameter of the flange portion its only slightly Iless than the inside diameter of the rearward outer shellv14. The outer peripheral portion of the rearward face of the ilange 108 disposed opposite the forward end of the tubular n sleeve 7S. This end of the sleeve 78 is shaped to form a series of locking teeth 110, 110 that lare normally engaged by the radially disposed teeth 100 on the face of the ange x108 on the second clutch member under the urging of a coil spring 112 mounted between tlange 108 and a shoulder 114 on the core 26. As long as the .teeth 100 on the second clutch member 102 are engaged :with the :teeth 110 on the sleeve 78, rotation of the clutch member 102 is prevented.

At its -forward end the body 108 of the second clutch member 102 has a hexagonal projection 116 that fits -within a hexagonal socket 118 formed at the rearward end of the .cylindrical shell 42. Rotation of the second clutch member 102 is thereby transmitted to the cylindrical shell 42 and to the lipstick carrier 40 disposed the cylindrical shell. in the use of the container the cap y1'8 is tirst removed ,to permit the advancement of the vlipstick pomade 38. A force is then lapplied to the end of the inger portion 68 of the plunger 70 to overcome the opposing force of the spring 74. As the plunger 70 moves inwardly so also does the tirst clutch member 86 because of the coupling of the clutch member 86 to the plunger 70 by reason of the engagement of the helical thread 82 with the helical groove 88 in the recess 84. No rota-tion of `the yclutch member occurs during this initial movement of the rst clutch member 86 inwardly away -from the annular stop 76 on the sleeve 78.

Continued inward movement of the plunger 70 brings `the iirst clutch member 86 into engagement with the second clutch member 102 and moves the second clutch member out of engagement with the locking teeth on the tubular sleeve 78. The plunger 70, rfirst clutch member 86 and the second clutch member 102 all move forwardly together until the front face of the flange 108 on the `second clutch member 102 strikes against the end 120 of the core 26. When this occurs the two clutch members S6 and 102 can no longer move longitudinally. Any farther movement of the plunger 70 in- 'wardly resultsin the projection 80 on the plunger penetrating deeper into the recess 84 in the hrst clutch member 86. Because of the helical character of the groove S8 in the recess 84 this inward penetration of the projection 80 causes the rst clutch member 86 to rotate a clockwise direction as viewed from the rearward end of the container. inasmuch as the teeth 98 on the r-st clutch member 86 are engaged with the teeth 100 on the second clutch member 102 the second clutch member is also rotated at the same time.

Rotation of the second :clutch member 102 causes the clockwise rotation of the B shell 42 since the hexagonal -socket 118 of the shell 42 fits over the hexagonal projection 116 on the clutch member 102. As the"B shell 42 rotates, the longitudinal slot 46 in the shell causes the lateral projection '44 on the lipstick carrier 40 to rotate in the same direction `andrto move against the side of the spiral slot 52 in the spiral shell 48. The spiral slot 52 cams the projection outwardly in the slot 46 in the B shell 42 and the lipstick carrier 40 and the lipstick pomade 38 are advanced forwardly with respect .-to the container.

When the plunger 70 is released by the user, the spring 74 and the spring 112 move the plunger 70 and the two clutch members 86 and 102 rearwardly. Once the second clutch member 102 -re-engages the tubular sleeve 78 its rearward movement ceases and the teeth 110 on the sleeve engage the teeth 100 ou the clutch member 102 to lock it against rotation.

The iirst clutch member 86 continues to move rearwardly for a short distance with the plunger 70 until the iiange 108 comes up against the annular stop 76. However, the plunger 70 continues to move rearwardly under the urging of the spring 74. inasmuch as the iirst clutch member can no longer move rearwardly, the continued rearward movement of the plunger 70 causes the clutch `member 86 to rotate counterclockwise until it has returned to its original position. In the meantime the plunger 70 is moved rearwardly until it abu-ts the end of the rearward outer shell 14.

The plunger 70 is again depressed and the justdescribed cycle of operation is repeated until the lipstick pomade 38 has been :advanced sufliciently as to permit its application to the lips of -the user. The action is very rapid and the lipstick may be advanced very quickly by a few repeated strokes of the plunger 70.

Retraction of the lipstick pomade 538 is accomplished by rotating the outer intermediate, or A shell 50 relative to the outer :forward shell 16. This ils done by the user igrasping the A shell 50 in the Ifingers of one hand and the outer shell 16 in the -ngers of the other hand and then twisting the intermediate shell S0 with `respect to the outer forward shell 16. Because of the ratchet construction on the tubular piece 34 and the shell 50 twisting or rotation of the shell 50 is only permitted in a ccunterclockwise direction as viewed from the front of the container. Rotation of lthe shell 50 in this direction also rotates the spiral shell 48 in the same 'wise as viewed from the front of the container.

projection 44 on the lipstick carrier 40 inwardly in the slot 26 to retract the lipstick pomade 38. Relative rotation between the spiral shell 48 ,and the lipstick car- `rier 40`is assured because the cylindrical, or B shell 42 is coupled `to the second clutch member 102 which is held against rotation bythe teeth '110 on the tubular Inasmuch as the projection 44'- on the carcrier 40 is imprisoned Within the llongitudinal slot 26 in the shell 42 the carrier 40 is also held against rotation.

While the lipstick container Shown in the drawings and described above utilizes the plunger 70 to actuate the lipstick pomade 38 outwardly ofthe container and the swivel construction to retract the pomade, it will be readily appreciated that these directions could be reversed if desired.

In line with a present trend in cosmetic articles, the lipstick pomade 38 of the container can be replaced when exhausted. The tubularpiece, 34is iirst unscrewed from the threaded stub 32 on the core 26." This is done by grasping the outer shell 16 and rotating it counterclock Since the outer shell 16 is pressk tted onto the tubular piece 34 this action serves to unscrew the piece from the core 26. With the forward section 10 removed, the B shell 42 and the lipstick carrier 40 can be'removed as a unit from the rearward end of the A shell 50 and the spiral shell 48. Inasmuch as the spiral slot 52 is continued to the rearward edge of the spiral shell 48, no diiculty is encountered either in withdrawing the exhausted lipstick or inserting the rell.

VWhile the invention has been illustrated by applying it i to a lipstick container it will be readily Arealized that its `ield of application is not'so limited'and theinvention may be employed in other types of pencil-like containers just as well.

What is claimed is:

l. A cosmetic container comprising (a) an outer shell,

(b) a cosmetic carrier within the outer shell,

(c) rotatable driving means for moving the cosmetic carrier longitudinally of the outer shell,

(d) a reciprocable plunger at one end of the outer shell, said plunger having a helical thread formed on the inner end thereof,

(e) a first clutch member with a helically formed recess engaging the helical thread on the reciprocable plunger, and

(f) a second clutch member secured to said rotatable driving means and engageable with said rst clutch member upon movement of the reciprocable plunger whereby the longitudinal movement of the plunger is translated into rotary movement of the driving means to move the cosmetic carrier longitudinally of the outer shell.

2. A cosmetic container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second clutch members are provided with teeth that interengage upon longitudinal movement of the plunger.

3. A lipstick container comprising (a) an outer shell,

(b) a lipstick carrier within the outer shell, said carrier having a lateral projection thereon,

(c) an intermediate shell between the lipstick carrier and the outer shell, said intermediate shell having a spiral slot formed therein into which extends the lateral projection on the lipstick carrier,

(d) rotatable driving means for eifecting relative rotation between the lipstick carrier and the intermediate shell, to move the carrier longitudinally of the outer shell,

(e) a reciproc'able plunger at one end of the outer shell, said plunger having an inclined thread formed on the irmer end thereof,

(f) a iirst clutch member having an inclined recess corresponding to the thread formed on the reciprocal plunger, said rst clutch member engaging the plunger, and

(g) a second clutch member secured to said rotatable 5 driving means and engageable with the rst clutch member upon movement of the reciprocable plunger whereby the longitudinal movement of the plunger is translated into rotary movement of the driving means to effect longitudinal movement of the lipstick carrier relative to the outer shell.

4. A cosmetic containercomprising (a) a rotatable cylindrical shell,

(b) an intermediate shell having a spiral groove formed therein surrounding said cylindrical shell,

(c) a cosmetic carrier positioned within the cylindrical p shell and rotatable therewith, said lcarrier being capable of longitudinal movement with respect to said cylindrical shell, Y

(d) an external projection on the cosmetic carrier extending outwardly into said spiral groove in the intermediate shell whereby relative rotation between said cylindrical and intermediate shells moves the projection and said carrier longitudinally of said cylindrical shell,

(e) a iirst clutch member having a plurality of teeth and a longitudinal recess with a helical groove formed in the inner surface thereof,

(f) a second rotatable clutch memberhaving a plurality of teeth, said second clutch member being longitudinally movable for engagement with said rst clutch member,

(g) a longitudinally reciprocable actuating member for the'container, said actuating member having a longitudinal projection with` an external helical thread, said projection extending into the groove in said recess on the` iirst clutch member whereby reciprocable movement of the actuating member results in rotation ot said rst and second clutch members, and

(h) means coupling said second clutch member to said cylindrical shell to rotate said cylindrical shell relative to said intermediate shell whereby said carrier is moved longitudinally of the container upon actuation of said reciprocable member.

5. A cosmetic continer as set forth in claim 4 having References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Nyman et al Mar. 3, 1925 1,664,166 Furedy Mar. 27, 1928 1,899,748 Cornell Feb. 28, 1933 2,182,846 Hasselquist Dec. 12, 1939 2,482,874 Roland Sept. 27, 1949 2,774,331 Smith Dec. 18, 1956 2,964,172 Landen Dec. 13, 1960 3,072,102 Iohmann Ian. 8, 1963 

1. A COSMETIC CONTAINER COMPRISING (A) AN OUTER SHELL, (B) A COSMETIC CARRIER WITHIN THE OUTER SHELL, (C) ROTATABLE DRIVING MEANS FOR MOVING THE COSMETIC CARRIER LONGITUDINALLY OF THE OUTER SHELL, (D) A RECIPROCABLE PLUNGER AT ONE END OF THE OUTER SHELL, SAID PLUNGER HAVING A HELICAL THREAD FORMED ON THE INNER END THEREOF, (E) A FIRST CLUTCH MEMBER WITH A HELICALLY FORMED RECESS ENGAGING THE HELICAL THREAD ON THE RECIPROCABLE PLUNGER, AND (F) A SECOND CLUTCH MEMBER SECURED TO SAID ROTATABLE DRIVING MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRST CLUTCH MEMBER UPON MOVEMENT OF THE RECIPROCABLE PLUNGER WHEREBY THE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF TH EPLUNGER IS TRANSLATED INTO ROTARY MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVING MEANS TO MOVE THE COSMETIC CARRIER LONGITUDINALLY OF THE OUTER SHELL. 